ログインElena’s POV Gregory’s words settled over the room like a heavy blanket. “Because if you’re truly the last Ancient Royal Fae…” He rested his hand on the weathered journal before me. ”…they’ll know you’ve returned.” I stared at the worn leather cover lying between us, trying to decide which part of that sentence bothered me the most. Finally, I broke the silence. “Who’s they?” Gregory let out a slow breath. “I wish I could answer that.” I frowned. “That’s becoming your favorite sentence.” A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I imagine it is.” He chuckled but only for a brief second but his smile didn’t leave. I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest. “So let me see if I’ve got this straight.” I began counting on my fingers. “I’m apparently the last Ancient Royal Fae. My abilities have been sealed since I was a child. That seal is breaking because my mate recognized me.” I motioned toward Draven before continuing. “Nobody knows exactly what powers I
Draven’s POV “…that’s what concerns me.” The words lingered in the room long after Gregory finished speaking. My eyes remained fixed on the ancient journal resting beneath his hand. The leather had nearly turned black with age, its edges worn smooth by countless hands before ours. Finally, I broke the silence. “What happens when the seal breaks completely?” Gregory didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he slowly opened the journal. The brittle pages protested softly beneath his fingertips. His movements were careful, almost reverent, as though he feared the book itself might crumble if handled too roughly. “I wish I could give you a simple answer, Your Majesty.” His eyes remained on the faded pages. “But I can’t.” He adjusted the journal until a particular passage rested before him. “Everything I’m about to tell you comes from these records. Some were written by scholars. Others by those fortunate enough to witness an awakening themselves.” He looked up. “There are similarities
Elena’s POV The walk to Gregory’s home passed in complete silence. I wasn’t even sure how long we’d been walking. My thoughts refused to settle. They circled the same words over and over again. Ancient Royal Fae. The title didn’t feel real. It couldn’t. Only yesterday, I’d been trying to convince myself the journal had to be wrong. Today, Gregory had looked me in the eyes and confirmed it without the slightest hesitation. Draven’s hand remained wrapped around mine the entire walk. He hadn’t said anything. He didn’t need to. His thumb brushed across the back of my hand every so often, a quiet reminder that I wasn’t walking through this alone. Gregory eventually slowed in front of a modest stone home tucked away near the older section of the city. It wasn’t grand. It wasn’t covered in guards. If anything, it looked ordinary. He unlocked the front door before stepping aside. “Please.” Draven motioned for me to enter first. I stepped inside. The moment I crossed the threshold, I unde
Elena’s POV I followed Gregory out of the council room without saying a word. Draven’s hand never left mine. Neither of us asked where Gregory was taking us. He walked with quiet purpose through a side hallway I’d never noticed before, stopping in front of a plain wooden door. He opened it and stepped inside. “Your Majesties.” Draven and I entered after him. The room was much smaller than the council room. A fireplace occupied one wall, though no fire burned inside it. Bookshelves lined another, filled with old ledgers and worn journals that looked as though they’d been handled more times than I could count. A round table sat in the center with four chairs. Gregory quietly closed the door. Only then did he turn to face us. “I appreciate you both indulging an old man for a few moments.” Draven remained beside me. “What is this about?” he asked. Gregory’s eyes settled on Draven’s neck before returning to his face. “May I ask you both something?” Neither of us answered. We simply w
Draven’s POV My fingers remained intertwined with Elena’s as we walked through the toward the council room. Three days ago, I’d stood before them and declared Elena my goddess-given fated mate. They had demanded that I marked her to see if the royal mark showed up. Three days for the mating. Three days for the mark. Today was the day they would receive their proof. We reached the double doors leading into the council chamber. I took one more step before realizing Elena was no longer walking beside me. I stopped. Turning back, I found her standing perfectly still several feet behind me. Her eyes weren’t on the doors. They were fixed somewhere beyond them. I walked back without saying a word. “What is it?” I asked quietly. She looked up at me before lowering her voice until only I could hear. “I read more of the journal last night.” Immediately, my attention sharpened. “And?” She hesitated for a minute. “It says…” She swallowed. “It says I’m not human.” The words hung between us.
Elena’s POV The room had finally gone quiet. For what felt like the first time all day, I was alone. Draven had barely settled back into the room before someone mind-linked him about another pack matter that needed his attention. He’d muttered something under his breath, apologized, brushed a quick kiss across my forehead, and promised he wouldn’t be long. Now the room was silent. I leaned back against the headboard and let out a slow breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “So much for a peaceful day,” I mumbled. My eyes wandered toward the overnight bag resting beside the dresser. The journal. I’d almost forgotten about it. Almost. Everything that had happened since I’d found it had pushed it to the back of my mind. Darla’s attack. Bernard. The phone. Nico accepting the contract. Every time I thought I’d have a chance to sit down and read, something else exploded. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. Because now… Now I wasn’t sure I was ready. I slid off the bed anyway. Cross







